Convertible head and face covering

ABSTRACT

A hooded garment wearable as a head covering or a head and face covering is provided. The garment includes a torso portion extending between an upper edge and a lower edge, and a head covering which includes an outer layer shaped and sized to circumscribe a wearer&#39;s head and an inner layer arranged on an inner surface of the outer layer. The head covering portion is attached to the upper edge of the torso portion and includes a head receiving opening defined by the upper edge of the torso portion, and a face opening defined by a peripheral edge of the outer layer. The inner layer is attached to the outer layer along and inwardly of the peripheral edge, and a lower edge of the inner layer is attached to the upper edge along outward opposing portions leaving a central portion of the lower edge unattached defining an opening between the outer layer and inner layer to receive the wearer&#39;s head. The inner layer defines an eye opening for the wearer&#39;s eyes, and a nose well formed below the eye opening to receive the wearer&#39;s nose.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,792,513, filed on Oct. 9, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a head covering, and more particularly to a head covering convertible into a head and face covering.

BACKGROUND

It is generally known that people protect their head and face from cold or inclement weather by layering articles of clothing, such as scarves, collars, hats/tuques and face coverings, such as balaclavas.

While the practice of layering is common, it is not always practical or convenient, especially for outdoorsmen, skiers, hikers and the like. These group of persons usually have specialized garments and equipment for their outdoor activities, and generally avoid carrying additional items, which can be bulky and cumbersome during activities.

For example, a skier must carry in terms of equipment alone skis, eye protective wear, ski poles and ski boots. Additionally, to protect himself/herself from the cold climate he/she may wear ski pants, ski jacket, sweaters, hoodies, gloves, tuque, shell and a scarf. During warmer periods, the skier may choose to remove certain articles of clothing while skiing to cool down, such as his/her scarf, and tuque/hat etc. The skier would be required to carry or store the removed article of clothing. It is however not uncommon for people to lose or misplace these articles of clothing once removed. These lost or misplaced articles of clothing would have to be repurchased leaving the skier inconvenienced and frustrated.

It is also generally known that hooded garments, such as hooded sweaters or jackets, have become popular and convenient means to insulate both the body and head from cold and inclement weather. These garments are available in varying styles, sizes, and appeal to a wide range of individuals. While these well known products have their advantageous, additional articles are still required to protect the face and neck from cold or inclement weather.

Inventors of U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,077 have attempted to address the above market deficiencies with a pull down ski mask. The disclosure relates to a coat with an integral hood where the front portion of the hood contains a rolled-up face mask integral with the hood. In a preferred form, the hood has an interior pocket which stores the face mask when not in use. The face mask has an upper edge sewn to the hood interior and a lower edge having VELCRO™ strips which cooperate with mating VELCRO™ strips in the lower interior of the hood to hold the mask in a lowered position covering the wearer's face.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,740 provides a head and face protector. The disclosure teaches an upper-body garment configured to provide a variety of modes of wear with respect to a head covering. A coat, jacket, shirt or vest has an integral hood which covers the wearer's head. Within the hood is an integral face shield which may be swung behind the wearer's head or neck when not covering the face, enabling protection of various portions of the face. The hood may be tightened to expose a variable extent of the head or face. The hood and face shield may be configured to be rolled into a hollow collar for storage when not needed.

While the above patents may solve various problems in the art, they are cumbersome to use requiring additional steps to utilize the face covering, and require the user to carry and store additional articles of clothing, which may be lost or misplaced.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A hooded garment wearable as a head covering or a head and face covering is provided.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a hooded garment wearable as a head covering or a head and face covering, the garment comprising: a torso portion extending between an upper edge and a lower edge; a head covering portion comprising an outer layer shaped and sized to circumscribe a wearer's head and forming a first layer of protection, and an inner layer arranged on an inner surface of the outer layer and forming a second layer of protection; the head covering portion being attached to the upper edge of the torso portion and having a head receiving opening to receive a wearer's head defined by the upper edge of the torso portion, and a face opening defined by a peripheral edge of the outer layer; wherein the inner layer is attached to the outer layer along and inwardly of the peripheral edge of the outer layer, and a lower edge of the inner layer is attached to the upper edge along outward opposing portions leaving a central portion of the lower edge unattached defining an opening between the outer layer and inner layer to receive the wearer's head; wherein the inner layer defines an eye opening for the wearer's eyes, and a nose well formed below the eye opening to receive the wearer's nose.

In a further aspect, the hooded garment includes a pair of stitches attaching the inner layer to the outer layer on opposing sides of the eye opening between the eye opening and the peripheral edge, wherein each stitch extends downwardly from an upper region of the head portion towards the lower edge to conform the shape of the inner layer to the wearer's facial shape when the garment is worn as a face and head covering.

In a further aspect of the invention, each respective stitch is arranged at a predetermined distance from the peripheral edge, and extend from a temporal region to a chin region of the wearer's head to prevent excess fabric of the inner layer from sagging from the outer layer.

In a further aspect, the hooded garment includes an elastic band or resilient material arranged to extend along each respective stitch to further conform the shape of the inner layer to the wearer's facial shape when the garment is worn as a face and head covering.

In a further aspect of the invention, the outer layer is folded onto itself along the peripheral edge to form a channel for housing a drawstring for tightening the head portion about the wearer's head.

In a further aspect of the invention, the inner layer is sewn to the outer layer along and inwardly of the channel.

In a further aspect, the hooded garment includes a continuous stitch used to form the peripheral channel and to attach the inner layer to the outer layer.

In a further aspect of the invention, the hooded garment includes a fastener provided between the outer layer and the inner layer in the unattached central portion to open and close the opening.

In a further aspect, the hooded garment includes an elastic band or resilient material arranged by the eye opening for biasing the eye opening into a collapsed position, and a pair of drawstrings each having one end attached to respective opposing lower ends of the eye opening and an opposed free end, wherein pulling the free end of the drawstring enlarges the eye opening and pulls the inner layer against the wearer's face.

In a further aspect of the invention, the eye opening includes a clear or translucent material covering the eye opening for additional face protection while maintaining visibility and breathability.

In a further aspect of the invention, the eye opening has an oblong shape.

In a further aspect of the invention, the nose well is shaped and positioned to receive the wearer's nose when the garment is used as a head and face covering, and positioned such that when the garment is used as a head covering the nose well inverts inwardly to be in juxtaposed relation with an apex of the outer layer.

In a further aspect of the invention, the hooded garment includes a fastener provided between the nose well and the apex of the outer layer for maintaining the alignment of the nose well within the apex.

In a further aspect of the invention, the hooded garment includes a malleable structural element provided in the nose well to adjust the shape of the nose well between a shape of curvature of the wearer's nose and a shape of curvature of the apex.

In a further aspect of the invention, the head portion is integrally formed with the torso portion or removably attached to the torso portion.

In a further aspect of the invention, the torso portion comprises integral arm sections, a front section, and a back section, wherein each arm section extends between a shoulder section of the torso portion and a sleeve having an opening sized to receive a wearer's hand, wherein the front section includes a zipper extending between the upper edge and the lower edge for closing the garment around a wearer's torso.

In a further aspect of the invention, the head covering portion is centered between the respective arm sections.

In a further aspect of the invention, the hooded garment is selective from one of a shirt, a sweater, a T-shirt, a jacket, a vest or coat.

In a further aspect of the invention, the inner layer defines a mouth opening for the wearer's mouth.

In a further aspect of the invention, the hooded garment includes an elastic band or resilient material arranged by the mouth opening for biasing the mouth opening into a collapsed position, and a second pair of drawstrings each having one end attached to respective opposing lower ends of the mouth opening and an opposed free end, wherein pulling the free end of the draw strings enlarge the mouth opening.

In a further aspect of the invention, the mouth opening comprises a breathable material covering the mouth opening.

In a further aspect of the invention, the outer layer comprises at least one layer of insulating material.

In a further aspect of the invention, the outer layer comprises at least one layer of wind and water resistant material.

In a further aspect of the invention, the inner layer comprises at least one layer of insulating material.

In a further aspect of the invention, the inner layer comprises at least one layer of wind and water resistant material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference may now be had to the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hooded sweater garment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, worn by a wearer;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 worn as a head covering;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the head portion of the garment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the head portion of the garment shown in FIG. 1 worn as a head covering;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the head portion shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the head portion of the garment shown in FIG. 1 worn as a head and face covering; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the head portion shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate a hooded sweater garment 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. While the Figures illustrate a hooded sweater garment 10, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to hooded sweater garments and the like only, but includes any garment having a head covering. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the garment may include most any form of a shirt or other upper body garment, as for example a T-shirt, jacket, vest or coat.

Garment 10 includes a torso portion 100 and a head portion 200. The torso portion 100 extends between an upper edge 102 and a lower edge 104. The torso portion 100 includes integral arm sections 106, a front section 108, and a back section 110. Each arm section 106 extends between a shoulder section 112 of the torso portion 100 and a sleeve 114 having an opening sized to receive a wearer's hand. The front section 108 includes a zipper 116 extending between the upper edge 102 and the lower edge 104 for closing the garment around the wearer's torso.

The head portion 200 is sewn to the torso portion 100 and centered between the respective arm sections 106. In other embodiments, the head portion 200 may be integrally formed with the torso portion 100 or removably attached to the torso portion 100 by any means known in the art, as for example buttons.

The head portion 200 includes a head receiving opening to receive a wearer's head defined by the upper edge 102 of the torso portion 100, and a face opening 202 defined by a peripheral edge 204 of an outer layer 206 of the head portion 200. The head portion 200 also includes an inner layer 208 arranged on an inner surface of the outer layer 206.

The outer layer 206 is folded onto itself along the peripheral edge 204 to form a channel 210 for housing a cinch cord or drawstring 212 to tighten the head portion 200 about the wearer's head, and a lower edge of the outer layer 206 is attached to the upper edge 102. The inner layer 208 is sewn to the outer layer 206 along and inwardly of the channel 210. Preferably, a continuous stitch 214 is used to form the channel 210 and to attach the inner layer 208 to the outer layer 206. A lower edge 216 of the inner layer 208 is also attached to the upper edge 102 along outward opposing portions leaving a central portion of the lower edge 216 unattached defining an opening 218 between the outer layer 206 and inner layer 208 to receive the wearer's head. Preferably, magnets, hook and loop or like fasteners are provided between the outer and inner layers 206, 208 in the unattached central portion to open and close the opening 218.

The inner layer 208 defines an opening 220 for the wearer's eyes, and a nose well 222 arranged below the opening 220 to receive the wearer's nose. Additional stitches 219 attaching the inner layer 208 to the outer layer 206 are provided on opposing sides of the eye opening 220 between the eye opening 220 and the peripheral edge 204. Each stitch 219 extends downwardly from an upper region of the head portion 200 towards the lower edge 216 to conform the shape of the inner layer 208 to the wearer's facial shape when the garment 10 is worn as a face and head covering. The stitches 219 prevent excess fabric of the inner layer 208 from sagging away from the outer layer 206, creating a more snug fit against the wearer's face. Preferably, the stitches 219 are set at a predetermined distance from the peripheral edge 204, and extend from a temporal region to a chin region of the wearer's head. Preferably, an elastic band or a resilient material may also be arranged to extend along each respective stitch 219 to further conform the shape of the inner layer 208 to the wearer's facial shape when the garment 10 is worn as a face and head covering.

The eye opening 220 has an oblong shape and a channel formed at its lower edge to receive an elastic band 224 or a resilient material. The elastic band 224 or resilient material biases the eye opening 220 into a collapsed/closed position and provides structural support for the eye opening 220. It is to be understood that the eye opening 220 may be of any shape, and may be formed as two separate eye openings, one for the left eye and one for the right eye. Preferably, the eye opening 220 includes a clear or translucent material covering the eye opening 220 for additional face protection while maintaining visibility and breathability. Channels 225 defined between the outer layer 206 and the inner layer 208 extend downwardly from opposing lower ends of the eye opening 220. Each channel 225 receives a drawstring or cinch cord 226 having one end attached to the respective opposing lower edges of the eye opening 220 and an opposing free end. Pulling the free end of the drawstring 226 enlarges the eye opening 220 and pulls the inner layer 208 snuggly against the wearer's face when the garment 10 is used as a head and face covering.

The nose well 222 is arranged below the eye opening 220 and shaped to receive the wearer's nose when the garment 10 is used as a head and face covering. When the garment 10 is used as a head covering, the nose well 222 inverts inwardly and is arranged in juxtaposed relation with an apex 228 of the outer layer 206 allowing for the inner layer 208 to lay flush against the outer layer 206 forming a double layered hood. Preferably, a magnet, hook and loop or like fastener is provided in the nose well 222 and apex 228 of the inner layer 208 and outer layer 206, respectively, for maintaining the alignment of the nose well 222 and apex 228. Preferably, a malleable structural element is provided in the nose well 222 to adjust the shape of the nose well 222 to the wearer's nose and the shape of the apex 228.

In another embodiment, the inner layer 208 may further define a mouth opening for the wearer's mouth. Similar to the eye opening 220, the mouth opening may be fitted with an elastic band or a resilient material along the peripheral edge for providing tension and structural support to the mouth opening. This aids in ensuring the mouth opening is maintained in the wearer's desired position. The mouth opening may be of any shape, as for example round, oblong, square or rectangular. The mouth opening may be formed from a plurality of smaller openings. The mouth opening may further include a clear or translucent material covering the mouth opening for additional face protection while allowing breathability.

A wearer may use garment 10 as a head covering or a head and face covering.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, when the garment 10 is used as a head covering, the head portion 200 is pulled over and onto the wearer's head to substantially cover the wearer's head and neck while exposing the wearer's face through the face opening 202, similar to a conventional hooded sweater. To secure the head portion 200 in place, the wearer may pull on the drawstrings 212 to tighten the head portion 200 around the wearer's head, and secure the drawstrings 212 in place with cinch clasps or the like.

When using the garment 10 as a head covering, the head portion 200 functions as a conventional double layered hooded sweater. The outer layer 206 provides a first layer of protection from the cold and inclement weather. The outer layer 206 is shaped and sized to closely circumscribe the wearer's head. The outer layer 206 may be made of multiple layers of similar or differing materials. For example, the outer layer 206 may include a tightly woven material that is wind and water resistant, for example GORE-TEX™, and/or an insulating material such as fleece, cashmere, down, wool or any known insulating fabrics and fillers. Material selection for the layers depend on the desired comfort, weight, durability, insulating properties, and feel against the wearer's head. While examples of materials are provided, it is to be understood that the outer layer 206 is not limited to the examples given.

The inner layer 208 provides a second layer of protection from the cold and inclement weather. The inner layer 208 may be made of multiple layers of similar or differing materials. For example, the inner layer 208 may include a tightly woven material that is wind and water resistant, for example GORE-TEX™, and/or an insulating material such as fleece, cashmere, down, wool or any known insulating fabrics and fillers. Material selection for the inner layer 208 depends on the desired comfort, weight, durability, insulating properties, breathability and feel against the wearer's face. While examples of materials are provided, it is to be understood that the inner layer 208 is not limited to the examples given. It is to be further understood that the outer layer 206 and inner layer 208 may be made of the same or different materials depending on the wearer's needs, style and comfort. For example, the outer layer 206 may be selected from a tightly woven material that is impermeable to water, such as a wind breaking material, and the inner layer 208 selected to include a spandex material such that when the garment 10 is worn as a head and face covering, the inner layer 208 is pre-tensioned to presses tightly against the wearer's face.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, when the garment 10 is used as a head and face covering, the opening 216 of the inner layer 208 is pulled over, onto and down the wearer's face to cover the wearer's head, neck and face. To secure the head portion 200 around the wearer's head and face, the wearer may pull on the drawstrings 212 to tighten the head portion 200 around the wearer's head, and secure the drawstrings 212 in place with cinch clasps. The wearer may also pull on the drawstrings 226 to pull the inner layer 208 snuggly against the wearer's face, and to enlarge the eye opening 220. The wearer may adjust the tension of the draw strings 212, 226 with the cinch clasps such that the hood portion 200 fits snugly against the wearer's head and face with the wearer's eyes being comfortably exposed and the wearer's nose comfortably positioned within the nose well 222.

The present invention allows for garment 10 to be worn as a protective head covering or a protective head and face covering with a simple, recognizable conventional movement of putting on a hood of a hooded sweater. Preferably, the material of the inner layer 208 is provided with enough stretchability that the head portion 200 of the garment 10 is convertible between the head covering mode and the head and face covering mode without requiring removal of the head portion 200 from the wearer's head.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is also to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional, or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein. The scope of the claims should not be limited to the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   garment 10     -   torso portion 100     -   upper edge 102     -   lower edge 104     -   integral arm sections 106,     -   front section 108     -   back section 110     -   a shoulder section 112     -   a sleeve 114     -   includes a zipper 116     -   head portion 200     -   face opening 202     -   peripheral edge 204     -   outer layer 206     -   inner layer 208     -   channel 210     -   drawstring 212     -   continuous stitch 214     -   lower edge 216     -   opening 218     -   stitches 219     -   opening 220     -   well 222     -   elastic band 224     -   channels 225     -   drawstring 226     -   apex 228 

1. A hooded garment 10 wearable as a head covering or a head and face covering, the garment 10 comprising: a torso portion 100 extending between an upper edge 102 and a lower edge 104; a head covering portion 200 comprising an outer layer 206 shaped and sized to circumscribe a wearer's head and forming a first layer of protection, and an inner layer 208 arranged on an inner surface of the outer layer 206 and forming a second layer of protection; the head covering portion 200 being attached to the upper edge 102 of the torso portion 100 and having a head receiving opening to receive a wearer's head defined by the upper edge 102 of the torso portion 100, and a face opening 202 defined by a peripheral edge 204 of the outer layer 206; wherein the inner layer 208 is attached to the outer layer 206 along and inwardly of the peripheral edge 204 of the outer layer 206, and a lower edge 216 of the inner layer 208 is attached to the upper edge 102 along outward opposing portions leaving a central portion of the lower edge 216 unattached defining an opening 218 between the outer layer 206 and inner layer 208 to receive the wearer's head; wherein the inner layer 208 defines an eye opening 220 for the wearer's eyes, and a nose well 222 formed below the eye opening 220 to receive the wearer's nose.
 2. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of stitches 219 attaching the inner layer 208 to the outer layer 206 on opposing sides of the eye opening 220 between the eye opening 220 and the peripheral edge 204, wherein each stitch 219 extends downwardly from an upper region of the head portion 200 towards the lower edge 216 to conform the shape of the inner layer 208 to the wearer's facial shape when the garment 10 is worn as a face and head covering.
 3. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 2, wherein each respective stitch 219 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the peripheral edge 204, and extend from a temporal region to a chin region of the wearer's head to prevent excess fabric of the inner layer 208 from sagging from the outer layer
 206. 4. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 2, wherein an elastic band or resilient material is arranged to extend along each respective stitch 219 to further conform the shape of the inner layer 208 to the wearer's facial shape when the garment 10 is worn as a face and head covering.
 5. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer 206 is folded onto itself along the peripheral edge 204 to form a channel 210 for housing a drawstring 212 for tightening the head portion 200 about the wearer's head.
 6. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 5, wherein the inner layer 208 is sewn to the outer layer 206 along and inwardly of the channel
 210. 7. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 5, wherein a continuous stitch 214 is used to form the channel 210 and to attach the inner layer 208 to the outer layer
 206. 8. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein a fastener is provided between the outer layer 206 and the inner layer 208 in the unattached central portion to open and close the opening
 218. 9. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic band 224 or resilient material arranged by the eye opening 220 for biasing the eye opening 220 into a collapsed position, and a pair of drawstrings each having one end attached to respective opposing lower ends of the eye opening 220 and an opposed free end, wherein pulling the free end of the drawstring 226 enlarges the eye opening 220 and pulls the inner layer 208 against the wearer's face.
 10. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the eye opening 220 includes a clear or translucent material covering the eye opening 220 for additional face protection while maintaining visibility and breathability.
 11. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the eye opening 220 has an oblong shape.
 12. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the nose well 222 is shaped and positioned to receive the wearer's nose when the garment 10 is used as a head and face covering, and positioned such that when the garment 10 is used as a head covering the nose well 222 inverts inwardly to be in juxtaposed relation with an apex 228 of the outer layer
 206. 13. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 12, further comprising fastener provided between the nose well 222 and the apex 228 of the outer layer for maintaining the alignment of the nose well 222 within the apex
 228. 14. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 12, further comprising a malleable structural element provided in the nose well 222 to adjust the shape of the nose well 222 between a shape of curvature of the wearer's nose and a shape of curvature of the apex
 228. 15. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the head portion 200 is integrally formed with the torso portion 100 or removably attached to the torso portion
 100. 16. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the torso portion 100 comprises integral arm sections 106, a front section 108, and a back section 110, wherein each arm section 106 extends between a shoulder section 112 of the torso portion 100 and a sleeve 114 having an opening sized to receive a wearer's hand, wherein the front section 108 includes a zipper 116 extending between the upper edge 102 and the lower edge 104 for closing the garment around a wearer's torso.
 17. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 16, wherein the head covering portion 200 is centered between the respective arm sections
 106. 18. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the garment is selective from one of a shirt, a sweater, a T-shirt, a jacket, a vest or coat.
 19. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer 208 further comprises a mouth opening for the wearer's mouth.
 20. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 19, further comprising an elastic band or resilient material arranged by the mouth opening for biasing the mouth opening 220 into a collapsed position, and a second pair of drawstrings each having one end attached to respective opposing lower ends of the mouth opening and an opposed free end, wherein pulling the free end of the draw strings enlarge the mouth opening.
 21. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 19, wherein the mouth opening comprises a breathable material covering the mouth opening.
 22. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer 206 comprises at least one layer of insulating material.
 23. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer 206 comprises at least one layer of wind and water resistant material.
 24. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer 208 comprises at least one layer of insulating material.
 25. The hooded garment 10 according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer 208 comprises at least one layer of wind and water resistant material. 